With preseason Top 10 rankings looking like the norm for Oklahoma State heading into the 2009 season, it's easy to argue that it's the most important season in OSU football history. The schedule carries plenty of big games and intrigue as well. Here's our look at how the '09 schedule stacks up for the Cowboys.

12. At Iowa State (Nov. 7) - There's hard to find many redeeming qualities in this one. It's a trip to Iowa in November (cold!) and is not at all likely to be picked up by television. It should be a relatively easy win for OSU, however. If it's not, it could be disastrous.

11. Grambling (Sept. 26) - It was actually a fairly close call with our #10-ranked game. In the end, we went with the one most likely to produce an entertaining football game. There's no question that this one will have the most entertaining halftime show of all of the games in Boone Pickens Stadium this fall.

10. Rice (Sept. 19) - The resurgent Owl program pulled off a 10-3 season in 2008, with a big win over Western Michigan in the Texas Bowl. As non-conference games go, this is a good one.

9. Houston (Sept. 12) - The OSU-Houston matchup is quite familiar, with the two teams playing for the third time in four years. The Cougars have given the Pokes more trouble than expected, including a very disappointing loss in Houston in 2006. The Cougs should have a high-powered offense again in '09. This is one of four OSU games already slated for TV.